Posttraumatic Growth and Related Factors in Firefighters.

Kwak,  Minyeong; Bae,  Jeongyee

doi:2017.26.2.124

J Korean Acad Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs > Volume 26(2); 2017 > Article

Original Article

Journal of Korean Academy of psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing 2017;26(2):124-133.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12934/jkpmhn.2017.26.2.124 Published online August 2, 2017.

Posttraumatic Growth and Related Factors in Firefighters.

Minyeong Kwak, Jeongyee Bae

¹Busan Fire & Safety Headquarters Psychological Support Center, Busan, Korea.
²Department of Nursing, Inje University · Inje University Institute for International Safe Community, Busan, Korea. jibai@inje.ac.kr

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purposes of this study were to investigate the posttraumatic growth, a positive mental and psychological change and related factors experienced by firefighters, in order to prevent PTSD and to for use as basic data for mental health promotion. METHODS: This study was a descriptive research study with 186 firefighters working in two fire stations in Busan Metropolitan City. It was conducted from August 1 to 31, 2015. There were 5 research tools in the structured survey, including IES-R-K, Resilience Scale, FACES-III, OCQ, and K-PTGI. Collected data were analyzed with t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple linear regression analysis using SPSS/WIN 18.0. RESULTS: The related factors affecting posttraumatic growth in firefighers were family cohesion (β=.15, p=.044), organizational commitment (β=.61, p<.001), gender (β=.16, p=.023) and amount of work experience in the current field (β=.28, p=.001). The explanatory power of these factors for posttraumatic growth was 43.1%. CONCLUSION: The results indicate a need to develop and distribute intervention programs that focus on strengthening the resilience of individuals, organizational commitment and family cohesion to promote post-traumatic growth, instead of focusing on crisis intervention and follow-up programs after traumatic experiences.

Key Words: Postrraumatic stress disorders; Resilience; Psychological; Family; Organizations